The pandemic has caused a major economic shift for businesses and workers. Countless companies have had to quickly upskill their workers, equipping them with the skills they need to pivot to digital or remote services. As a result, the importance of efficiently and effectively training and onboarding workers with the right skills for the job has…

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, it was apparent that American jobs are undergoing massive technological transformation. In-demand careers increasingly require digital literacy skills, and for many industries digital skills are entry-level competencies for new hires and incumbent workers. Since the pandemic, digital demands in the U.S. workplace…

Countries world-wide are experiencing profound changes in all sectors due to technological advances. Very little is known, however, about the skills that will be needed to keep up with this evolution. Israel is no exception, and here, a summary of a recent study on future skill needs in the country's agri-tech sector is presented, which combined…

Achieving prosperity for all Americans could not be more urgent. Although the United States remains the most prosperous nation on earth, millions of citizens are losing faith in the American dream of upward mobility, and in American-style capitalism itself. This crisis of confidence has widened the divide afflicting American politics and cries out…

The recent health crisis -- and unprecedented, rapid job loss associated with it -- has illuminated how unprepared the United States is for helping workers who lose their jobs reskill to prepare for and successfully enter new employment. Policy responses to the current crisis -- while critical -- have fallen far short of addressing challenges…

Opportunity America received a grant from Lumina Foundation to conduct a national research study of community colleges' credit and noncredit occupational education programs and their relationships with employers. Opportunity America contracted with Wilder Research to manage data collection and analysis for the study. The purpose of this study was…

The COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated with vivid clarity how important it is for people to have digital literacy skills. From the workplace to the classroom and beyond, being able to use digital tools effectively is fundamental to success. To succeed in this rapidly changing environment, workers need broad-based digital problem-solving skills that…

Surveys of New England employers, college academic officers, and graduates find that many consider today's college graduates inadequately prepared for the world of work. In 2017, the New England Board of Higher Education convened the Commission on Higher Education & Employability, under the leadership of Rhode Island Governor Gina M. Raimondo.…

By providing an affordable way to build and maintain a knowledgeable and skilled workforce, noncredit courses add value to people and their communities. Still, government leaders and other decisionmakers want to know: Exactly how much value do they add? Who benefits? What is the return on investment? Which programs are most effective and most…

California's Employer-Based Training (EBT) Program focuses on preparing individuals for the new technologies of the future and responding to the real and current skills training needs of business and industry. The three major program components are: new programs in high and emerging technologies; private sector support for worksite-based training;…

As the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) is replaced by the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA), this report provides suggestions on coordinated activities by the state advisory councils for vocational education (SACVEs) to assist in the development of overall JTPA policy and the planning of programs at state and local levels. The…

A Connecticut business association helps place teachers in job-related summer work and promotes their image as professionals. Because teachers apply course teachings to first-hand experiences, the internship helps ensure that skilled teachers will instruct future workers. Describes ways to set up a summer job placement program. (CJH)

Data were collected on the training required by people who work with computers, and these data were then used as a basis from which to identify major issues that must be addressed by policymakers concerned with developing computer education and training programs. A total of 196 employers, supervisors, workers, professional societies, unions,…

Philadelphia's public schools and local businesses have jointly sponsored job training academies for "high risk" inner city high school students since the late 1960s. Career-focused and committed, the program has expanded successfully. (CJH)

A study was conducted by the National Council of Occupational Education to measure the extent to which community, junior, and technical colleges were engaged in economic development activities. A questionnaire was mailed to 1,144 colleges in March and April of 1986, requesting information on the types of economic development activities performed…